Thursday, July 23, 2015

CWP, 24 July 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

"A free people ought not only be armed and disciplined,
but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to
maintain a status of independence from any who might
attempt to abuse them, which would include their own
government." -- George Washington

"The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun
is a good guy with a gun." -- Wayne La Pierre

***** Training *****

Recognizing the Sound of Gunfire
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/recognizing-the-sound-of-gunfire
Excerpt:  If you hear loud popping noises,
don’t allow denial or rationalization to
convince you that they aren’t gunshots.

The Risks and Rewards of Concealed Carry Training – Part II
http://www.gundigest.com/concealed-carry-news/benefits-risks-concealed-carry-training-part-ii
Excerpt:  While armed citizens carrying guns in public
for self defense are not required to participate in
yearly training, if you have done so anyway, it
certainly is a strong argument in court to prove that
by committing your own time and spending your own
money to continue to train, you take your
responsibilities to society as seriously as other
professionals.

     Training doesn't have to be the expensive courses
at the big name gun schools.  It could be reading books,
emailing questions to your former coaches and instructors
(if they are worth their salt, they will take the time
to answer you), listening to the guest speakers at your
gun club or gun associations, or taking classes from
the local instructors.

Your Tactical Training Scenario- Where do you Draw the Line?
Written by Greg Ellifritz
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/your-tactical-training-scenario-where-do-you-draw-the-line

Quick Airport Mobility Workout Video
http://impossiblehq.com/airport-mobility-workout/

The Risks and Rewards of Concealed Carry Training – Part III
http://www.gundigest.com/concealed-carry-news/risks-rewards-concealed-carry-training-part-iii
Excerpt:  The power of prevention is likely the
single most important reason to seek out
competent and extensive training.  And then once
trained, continue to take classes to keep your
skills sharp.

Class Review:  Intensive Pistol Skills with Tom & Lynn Givens
http://www.gunnuts.net/2015/07/02/class-review-intensive-pistol-skills-with-tom-lynn-givens/

Larry Vickers Bans Appendix Carry in His Classes
http://monderno.com/news/larry-vickers-bans-appendix-carry-classes/

Train (mostly) with a big gun, even if you carry a little one
https://thestreetstandards.wordpress.com/2015/06/18/train-mostly-with-a-big-gun-even-if-you-carry-a-little-one/

TACTICAL CONFERENCE 2016
Friday, March 11, 2016 at 8:00 AM - Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 6:00 PM (CST)
Memphis, TN
Info:
http://www.rangemaster.com/2016-tactical-conference/
Tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tactical-conference-2016-tickets-16064134258

***** Pedagogy *****

Skills are not all that important
https://thestreetstandards.wordpress.com/2015/05/16/skills-are-not-all-that-important/

     There is a Marine Corps recruiting poster that
has a picture of a Marine in battle dress utilities
holding a rifle, with the caption "Smart Weapon". 
Skills are important, but more important is the
attitude that you will do whatever is necessary
to accomplish the mission, and the mental
flexibility to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

***** Education *****

Excerpt from "In the Name of Self-Defense" by MacYoung.
The most common effects of an adrenaline dump in
response to violence are: 
Pain tolerance and delay
Depth perception and visual distortion
Tunnel vision
Auditory exclusion
Speed and strength increase
Changes is blood flow and heart beat
Time distortion
Fine motor movement decay
Trembling and fumbling
Timing problems and movement drop
Changes in respiratory rate
Unconscious muscle tension
Mono-emotion and emotional detachment
Rhythmic motion and rocking
Bladder or bowel release
Erection
Short- or long-term memory loss
Nausea
Post-incident soreness
Hypo-mania
Horniness
Crash and exhaustion
Dreamless sleep or nightmares
Post-incident resurgence
     The detailed explanation of these and the
carefully explained remedies is worth the price
of the book.

Massad Ayoob’s 10 Commandments Of Concealed Carry
http://dailycaller.com/2015/07/14/massad-ayoobs-10-commandments-of-concealed-carry/

***** Tactics *****

Two handed grip for close quarters combat with a pistol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stBfi_iru5M
From GracieSurvivalTactics.com.
This technique will result in injury when using a
revolver, because the gas escaping between the
cylinder and barrel will cut your skin and burn you.
Similarly for a pistol with a ported barrel.

Competition vs street training:
more, but with an assist from Larry Vickers
https://thestreetstandards.wordpress.com/2015/07/22/competition-vs-street-training-more-but-with-an-assist-from-larry-vickers/
     The video shows how you should be using
IDPA or IPSC stages in your training.  Slow
and methodical.
     Staying away from corners and walls,
shooting what first comes into view.
Shooting a foot or elbow may be enough to
cause the enemy to flee.  If you move far
enough around the corner to get a center of
mass hit, you are exposing too much of
yourself.

***** Instructors *****

On Training/Safety
https://marcuswynne.wordpress.com/2015/06/25/random-thoughts-on-trainingsafety-and-a-neural-based-exercise-for-instructors/

***** Gear *****

What You Don’t Know About Holsters by Sara Ahrens
http://www.range365.com/what-you-dont-know-about-holsters

***** Reasons to Carry *****

Concealed Carry On The Rise, Murder On The Decline
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/14/murder-rates-drop-as-concealed-carry-permits-soar-/

The Future of Policing!
http://defense-training.com/dti/the-future-of-policing/

***** Survival Tips *****

     Dental health is essential for general health.
     My dental hygienist, Renee Cleary, says you
have to floss (at least) daily.  Flossing is not
primarily to remove food from between your teeth.
The primary reason is to scrape off plaque from
around your teeth below the gum line, where the
toothbrush cannot reach.  If you don’t remove the
plaque, it will turn into tartar or calculus;
definition -- a hard, yellowish to brownish-black
deposit on teeth formed largely through the
mineralization of dead bacteria in dental plaques
by the calcium salts in salivary secretions and
subgingival transudates.
     Bend the floss around the tooth and scrape up
and down.  Do not saw the tooth with the floss.
Bleeding indicates the gums are being irritated
by the plaque.  After a few days of flossing the
gums will get healthy and stop bleeding.

***** Miscellany *****

American Handgunner September/October 2015
http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/FMGPublications/AmericanHandgunner/AHSO15/

***** News *****

US House Passes Concealed Carry on US Bases
http://www.gunsandtactics.com/us-house-passes-concealed-carry-on-us-bases

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

CWP, 15 July 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

"The less you know,
the less you think there is to learn."
-- Kathy Jackson

     At Front Sight, I took a class in which
the instructor asked us,
"Would you be willing to use lethal force to
stop a rape in progress?" 
It was part of a lecture in which the instructor
was trying to get us to think about in which
situations we would use lethal force and in
which situations we would not.  The discussion
was along the lines of, is the victim
in imminent danger of death or serious bodily
injury?  One could argue that she is not, so
lethal force is not justified.  (Yes, we discussed
transmission of diseases and pregnancy.)
     Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice,
rape is a capital crime.  But, I don't think it
is a capital crime in any state of the United
States of America.
     If it's just one assailant, you could just
grab him and yank him off her. 
     No way!  I'm not going hands on with anyone. 
I'm not a cop, so I'm not required to. 
I'm not stupid, I could get hurt (or killed). 
The purpose of practicing marksmanship is so
that we don't have to close with the enemy.
     If it's multiple assailants ...
I'm not getting close enough for anyone to touch me.
     But, of course, this presupposes that we can
identify a rape in progress.  Can you?  Have you
had any training in doing so?  Do you have any
experience?  Have you ever seen a rape in
progress? 
     I don't need a class.  I can recognize
a rape when I see it. 
     Well, no, that's false.
     In the early 80's I was a Lance Corporal and
driving the Jeep for the Sergeant of the Guard.
We were patrolling around Kaneohe Marine Corps
Air Station (presently Marine Base Hawaii) in the
middle of the night.  On the beach by Pyramid Rock,
we see two naked people rolling around in the
sand yelling and screaming.  So, we jump out and
pull them apart and separate them.  The Sergeant
takes the lady to the Jeep and I hold the young
male Marine on the ground. 
     The Sergeant asks the lady, "Were you being raped?" 
     She says, "No." 
(Yeah, there's a lot more to this story,
but I'll spare you the details.)  The point is,
just because he is copulating and beating her in
a public place and she's screaming bloody murder,
does not mean it's rape.  Rape requires lack of
consent.  Regardless of her behavior, she was
a consenting participant.
(We should have asked the Marine if he was being
raped, but this was the early 80's.)

***** Training *****

How to run the 1911
http://www.handgunsmag.com/tv/handguns-defensive-weapons/how-to-run-the-1911/

Don’t blame the gun:
Why the argument against striker-fired guns is flawed
http://www.policeone.com/the-tacticalist/articles/8572554-Don-t-blame-the-gun-Why-the-argument-against-striker-fired-guns-is-flawed/
Excerpt: 
Mindfulness reflects a standard of care and
a commitment to the values of safety. It
means that safe gun handling is a part of
your value system and that you pride
yourself on your safe gun handling. When it
has been shown to you that your gun
handling safety is deficient, you don’t
become defensive or argumentative but
instead, take active measures to ensure
that your gun handling skills rise to
acceptable levels.

***** Pedagogy *****

Fighting: Be honest to the problem, be honest to yourself
http://www.recoilweb.com/fighting-be-honest-to-the-problem-be-honest-to-yourself-67383.html
     Craig Douglas says there is no point in teaching
something the student can't do, even if you think it's
a good technique.
     John Farnam said a similar thing in that he adjusts
the course content to the students capabilities.
     The big gun schools with their big classes can't
do this.  And many have a philosophy of consistency
of content (as McDonalds restaurants) and sticking to
the script (for consistency of product, the trained
student being the product of the gun school).
     That's why I believe in small classes.  I never
take more than 5 students in a class.  You have to be
able to adjust the curriculum to the students.
     If the student can't do something because his muscles
are too tight, you have to tell him to stretch.  If he
can't do something because he is too fat, you have to
tell him to lose weight.  Not telling him these things,
because you don't want to hurt his feelings is a grave
disservice to the student.

     Some people follow instructions and succeed. 
Some people don’t follow instructions and wonder
why they failed. 
     Blind spots are not things you can’t see. 
Blind spots are things you don’t know that you
can’t see.  Following instructions avoids blind
spots.  Refusing to follow instructions causes
blind spots and is why the Boy Scout Law says,
a Scout is obedient.  [In recruit training, the
Drill Instructors told us a story to explain
why immediate obedience to orders is essential.
A group of Marines were sitting around a fire
to keep warm.  Mortar shells were randomly
landing around them.  A lieutenant tells them
to take cover.  The Marines ignore the lieutenant
because he was not in their chain of command
and they didn't know him.  A mortar round lands
in the fire and kills the Marines.  The Marines
did not see that the mortar crew was adjusting
fire.  The lieutenant saw what was going on.
The Marines failed to obey orders and died.
From the Vietnam War as told by Drill Instructor
Sgt. Sheikle who was an eye witness to the events. 
Sgt. Sheikle was a helicopter machine-gunner.]
     Superstitions are not things that you know
are false.  Superstitions are things that you
know are true, that are false.  The purpose of a
coach is to inform you of superstitions and
blind spots.  It is your choice to make use of
the coach or ignore him.
     Why follow the instructions of the instructor,
coach, teacher, pastor, etc.?  Because they have
training or experience that you don't.  People
learn from their experiences (hopefully).  Smart
people learn from the experiences of others.
     I was reading "In the Name of Self Defense"
by MacYoung.  I thought to myself, this stuff is
obvious.  Then I stopped, took a step back, and
thought.  The material appears obvious after
reading it.  But, before reading it, none of it
was obvious.  In fact, it wasn't known to me at all.

***** Education *****

The American Revolution against British Gun Control
by David B. Kopel
http://www.davekopel.org/2A/LawRev/american-revolution-against-british-gun-control.html

1911 complete disassembly
(as opposed to field stripping for cleaning)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A6xDvDNO9g&list=PLHGHDAZ_90iyB5jmXxqnCRGECEAvTynzo

1911 assembly (except trigger and magazine release)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGrH33uWCVk&list=PLO8ZhFAs4JnKovow3S8Qfszuo7zKQOBfT

What Every Gun Owner Needs to Know About Self-Defense Law
http://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/images/stories/Hayes_SDLaw.pdf
Excerpt: 
     "If the judge trying the case believes that you
started the altercation, he or she is allowed by law to
withhold a self-defense instruction from the jury.  The
jury then does not get to decide if you were justified in
using deadly force."
     "There is one thing that will restore your right
to self defense even if you were the initial aggressor,
and that is withdrawing from the altercation. Your
claim to self defense can be restored if you can show
evidence that you reasonably withdrew from the
altercation, and then the person you shot came after
you and started a new altercation."

The Risks and Rewards of Concealed Carry Training – Part I
http://www.gundigest.com/concealed-carry-news/benefits-risks-concealed-carry-training-part

***** Tactics *****

How the Fight Starts
http://www.handgunsmag.com/tv/how-the-fight-starts/

     Dialing 911
Remember I told you about the exercise at Tactical Response
where under stress during a tactical scenario the students
tried to dial 911 on their cell phones and couldn't do it?
     Well, Marc MacYoung in his book
"In The Name Of Self-Defense" suggests a solution. 
"... tuck the arm of your phone hand against your body,
then dial."
     The problem is that both hands are moving (trembling,
shaking with adrenaline).  By stabilizing one hand, the
operation gets much easier.
     This book is full of such trade craft.

***** Instructors *****


***** Gear *****

Question:  My wife and I went for a walk on the beach yesterday,
and given current events and warnings, I felt compelled not to
be caught unarmed.  I am now on a quest to determine the best
smallest handgun to carry that I can shoot accurately.  A knife
is better than fists.  An American Arms 22 long rifle 5 shot
revolver is better than a knife.  Your thoughts?

Answer: 
     Fists should not be on your list at all.  If you punch
someone with your fist, you may break your fingers or wrist.
(Using the side of your fist, as a hammer strike, won't
hurt you.)
The Marine Corps LINE hand to hand combat program only
used open hand techniques.  (an oldie but goodie)
     Using a knife is lethal force in every jurisdiction
that I know of.  So, carrying a knife instead of a pistol
reduces your range without reducing your liability.  So,
carry the pistol. 
     If you can't legally carry the pistol, move out of
that jurisdiction.  It's a free country, you can move
easily.  I did.  My ancestors did.  I have no sympathy
for people who live under oppression when they can move.
     My recommendation would be a .38 Special hammerless
revolver with at least a 3 inch barrel.
     If you read the technical specs and standards documents,
you will see that the modern revolver cartridges really need
(expect) at least a 4 inch barrel to effectively burn the
powder in the case.  So, 3 inches is not really sufficient,
but concealable.  [I know you are thinking about a 2 inch
barrel.  But, you need large quantities of fast burning
powder to make a 2 inch barrel effective.  (Magnums get their
power from large quantities of slow burning powder.  Slow
burning so as not to generate dangerously high chamber
pressures.  So, they need long barrels to be effective.)
But, ya the 2 inch barrel is more concealable. 
     I am sure the 2 inch barrel is combat effective
at contact distances.  But, I am an engineer.  So, the
theory bothers me psychologically.  Hence, I would
adjust my clothing and carry a longer barrel.]
     The hammerless recommendation is so that the revolver
may be fired from within a pocket or purse without the
hammer getting caught on anything.  Revolvers are also
better in this situation, as semi-autos may malfunction
because there is insufficient space for the expended cases
to eject.
     The .38 Special recommendation is because it is
commonly available, effective for self-defense, and the
recoil is manageable.  The .357 Magnums are more expensive,
and it makes no sense to practice with .38 Specials and
then carry .357 Magnums, as they will give you a different
point of impact and different recoil.
     If you shoot a hollow point bullet from within a pocket
or purse, the bullet's cavity will immediately be plugged
with material.  The body's fluids will not be able to enter
the hollow point, so there won't be much hydrodynamic
(hydrostatic?)
pressure to cause the bullet to expand.  Even soft solids
just don't behave as fluids.  So, I would shoot copper
jacketed round nose bullets.  They are effective and much
cheaper than hollow point ammunition.
     Unfortunately, there are revolvers on Gun Broker and
such that don't have trigger guards.  This is shear
stupidity.
     No matter what revolver you choose, you must carry
it in a correct, properly fitting holster.  To do otherwise
is asking for negligent discharges.
     I intentionally neglect to mention makes and models.
Because I am not competent to do so.
     Of course, the zeroth recommendation is to keep your
head up and looking around so that you see the bad guy in
time to walk away.
     If the enemy is within 21 feet (distance from wall to
wall of a room indoors, two car lengths outdoors), the
Teuller Drill tells us that you won't have time to deploy
a weapon before the assailant is on you.  So, you must
have hand to hand techniques practiced and reflexively
available to you (in your repertoire).  Study Krav Maga.

***** News *****

U.S. High Schools Embrace Shooting as Hot New Sport
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-07-09/making-guns-cool-high-schools-embrace-shooting-as-hot-new-sport
In Bloomberg Business of all places.

Donald Trump: Abolish Gun Free Zones
On Military Bases
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/07/09/donald-trump-abolish-gun-free-zones-on-military-bases/

***** Promotions *****


***** Opinions *****


***** Politics *****

     Well, Duh!  If you give criminals sanctuary
in your city, they are going to stay in your city;
even after being deported 5 times.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3149706/Family-Californian-woman-shot-dead-random-illegal-Mexican-immigrant-deported-FIVE-TIMES-condemn-officials-let-stay.html
     And they are going to do what criminals do,
murder your residents.  Yet another reason to
get training, look around, and always carry.
By the way, the pistol that the illegal alien
felony convict used to kill the innocent lady
belonged to a U.S. Bureau of Land Management agent.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/07/07/ap-source-federal-agents-gun-used-in-san-francisco-sanctuary-city-murder/
     Federal agents lose hundreds of firearms
every year.  Some of them machineguns.
http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/atf-agents-lost-track-of-dozens-of-their-own-guns-reports-show-b99213499z1-247182581.html
     You wouldn't believe the number of federal
agents running around with guns and badges.  Just
about every bureaucracy has its own police force.
My ex-wife's boyfriend's wife was a gun toting
IRS agent.  My ex was a gun toting Postal Inspector.
Mailmen and tax collectors with guns, what has
this world come to?

More Than 347,000 Convicted Criminal Immigrants At Large In U.S.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/07/07/more-than-347000-convicted-criminal-immigrants-at-large-in-u-s/
     This is why you have to carry.

Sanctuary Cities Released Over 8,000
Illegal Aliens With Criminal Records This Year
http://cis.org/ignoring-detainers-endangering-communities
  
***** Miscellany *****


Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com

Friday, July 3, 2015

CWP, 3 July 2015 A.D.

Greetings Sheepdogs,

***** Mindset *****

     "First, avoid conflict by staying out of
stupid situations, away from stupid people,
and don't do stupid shit. Then, if that
fails, do what you need to do to flee."
-- Amy Schwartz

"Self-Defense?"
Posted by John S. Farnam on 22 Jun 2015
http://defense-training.com/dti/self-defense/

     In any mass murder, the question is,
"Why didn't any good guy shoot the bad guy?"
The answer is always that the victims
had chosen to be in a gun free zone (or the
victim's parents had placed the victim in
a gun free zone) and had chosen not to keep
and bear arms.
     South Carolina law allows guns in churches
with the permission of the church leader.  But,
the AME Church has a policy of no guns. 
This is common knowledge.  So, the bad guy 
knew this.  That's why he went to the Emanuel
AME Church.  He had previously gone to the
College of Charleston to do his mass murder.
(He had even told his drinking buddies, some
of whom were black, that he was going to the
College of Charleston to do his mass murder.)
But, the armed security guards made him think
that they would quickly kill him.  Mass murderers
may be crazy, but they aren't stupid.
     One of the reasons Seacoast Church (right
across the Wando River in Mount Pleasant, SC)
has not been attacked in such a way, is that
everyone can see the pistols bulging through
the tee shirts of the plain clothed police and
congregants when they go to any Seacoast campus. 
This is intentional.  They have a security
contingent lead by a pastor who was formerly
FBI and manned by volunteer law enforcement
officers.  They are armed and ready to counter
attack.  But, more importantly, everybody
knows it.  It is common knowledge.  That is
what makes Seacoast Church a hard target.
     The common knowledge, that Emanuel AME is
a gun free zone, is what makes it an inviting
soft target for criminals.

Why is Anyone Surprised?
http://defense-training.com/dti/why-is-anyone-surprised/

***** Training *****

Kevin Hunt is teaching a "Basic Trauma Management Class"
on July 18th at 0800 at the Strategic Edge Range,
2613 Hwy 270, Chapel Hill, TN 37034. Cost is $100 for
members and $130 for non-members. This is an all day
class. If you want to sign up or have questions, please
email Kevin at kevhunt80@yahoo.com and he will be happy
to answer.

How to not shoot yourself
http://www.thetacticalwire.com/features/229865

AK Reload Basics!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utqc53kXT98

***** Pedagogy *****

-Deep Understanding-

English professor:  What does Airedale mean? 
Undergrad:  That's a breed of dog. 
Nerd:  Airedale terrier is a large rough-haired
tan-colored breed of terrier characterized by
a black saddle-shaped patch covering most of
the back.
English major:  It's an allusion to a district
in West Riding, Yorkshire.

Religion professor:  What's the significance of
John 2:1-12?
Undergrad:  It's Jesus' first miracle, turning
water into wine at a wedding feast.
Nerd:  At the request of His mother,
Jesus reluctantly transmutes dirty wash
water into fine wine.  Not really as significant
as healing someone or feeding thousands.
Bible scholar:  Jesus establishes his authority.
For He knows the Jews will be asking, "By what
authority do you teach?", in the future.

For any question there is the answer from reading
the primary source text.  Then there is an answer
from experience and formal instruction.  And then,
there is the answer from research.
If you're going to carry a gun, you need to have
a deep understanding of self-defense, that is
specific to your locale.  This takes a bit of
research and study.  But, it will give you 
confidence.  And confidence is the difference
between shooting and not being able to make the
decision to shoot, because you don't know if you
are within the parameters of self-defense in
this jurisdiction.
As a civilian, you have by far the best rules of
engagement; better than the police, better than
the military, because you don't have to engage. 
But, you have to understand your rules of
engagement.  Otherwise, you may be convicted of
a crime.  Consult your attorney.  Take a class. 
Listen to the guest speakers at Tennessee Firearms
Association meetings.  Don't be the undergrad. 
Too much is on the line.

***** Education *****

     "Knowing what to do is not enough.
What will kill you are all the things
you don't know not to do."
     "There are more people willing to
physically assault you for angering them
than there are muggers."
     "Most violence occurs between
people who know each other."
     "There will be conflicts between
this new information and what you 'know'
or 'believe'."
     "There are also a fair number in
prison because, although they acted in
self-defense, they couldn't explain why
what they did was self-defense."
     "Being emotional and in conflict
means a different part of your brain activates."
-- Marc MacYoung
Excerpts from "In the Name of Self-Defense".
     Yes, I recommend this book, because
most firearms instructors are not
self-defense instructors.  Fearing death
or serious bodily injury is not sufficient.
You have to be innocent.  You can't have
started the fight.  You cannot have escalated
the conflict.  You cannot have participated
in the fight.  You cannot have been doing
anything illegal.  You have to be in a
place you have a right to be.  This list
goes on and on.
     [The following is my paraphrase, but
I did get two competent attorneys who were
former prosecutors at the federal and state
level to review the text before I pushed
it out to you.]
     As Mr. MacYoung says, pleading
not guilty by reason of self-defense
is not always the smart thing to do (when
it was in fact self-defense), because it is
much easier to win a some-other-dude-did-it
case than a self-defense case.  When you
claim self-defense, you are admitting that
you shot the guy.  This is an affirmative
defense.  Now the burden is on you
to articulate why shooting him was justified.
That's not easy.  It is, relatively speaking,
much easier to keep your mouth shut and
let the prosecutor try to prove you shot
the guy, while your attorney pokes holes
in the prosecution's theory,
because any reasonable doubt should legally
cause an acquittal.  I have first hand
knowledge of cases in which after the
prosecution presented its case, the defense
moved for dismissal and the judge granted
the motion because the prosecution failed
to present a prima facie case.  I know of
cases in which the jury convicted, but the
judge had to overturn the conviction
because there was, legally, reasonable doubt.
(Reasonable doubt is a legal standard.  It's
not "in the opinion of the jury".)
The judge is required by law to correct such
errors.  Or, the appeals court is obligated
to correct such errors.  But, if you admit to
shooting the guy by claiming self-defense,
all that legal protection goes out the window.
     That's why you have to have an attorney
advising you, before you say anything.
     Keeping your mouth shut is not lying.
Keeping your mouth shut is not the same as
saying some-other-dude-did-it.  The defense
is not required to present an alternate
theory.  It is reasonable to sit mute
throughout the entire legal process. 
Attorneys, as a matter of legal strategy,
often don't let their clients say anything,
because if the client testifies, he is open
to cross examination by the prosecutor and
may say all manner of stupid self-incriminating
things because he does not understand our
complex legal system.

Mike Darter Interviews Alexis Arthwohl, Ph.D.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUlzK2LdGN4
Excerpt:  Physical survival, psychological survival,
legal survival.
CCW Safe- "Deadly Encounters" Interview with Dr. Artwohl Pt. 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_S_oR2zbdk
     The criminal justice system person
interrogating you may not understand.  That's
why it's so important that you understand. 
You're not going to have perfect memory. 
You're going to second guess yourself
and have irrational thoughts.  That's why
it is so important to keep your mouth shut
until your attorney can help you.

***** Tactics *****

Closing with the enemy
https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/2015/06/23/closing-with-the-enemy/
     We practice our marksmanship so that
we don't have to close with the enemy.
     The complete mission statement is,
"Infantrymen are trained to locate, close with,
and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver, or
repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat."
     Self-defense only allows the second part,
repel the enemy's assault by fire and close combat.
(Every Marine is trained and expected to be able
to serve as a basic infantry rifleman.  Taking
the cooks and intel weenies out on patrol so they
could get their Combat Action ribbons was common
practice.  Most of the personnel in the other
Armed Services are not trained for combat and
never experience combat.  So, being a veteran
does not imply any firearms familiarity,
much less competence, much less expertise.)

     Your Tactical Training Scenario - Shaking Hands
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/your-tactical-training-scenario-shaking-hands
     Handshakes and Fighting
http://forcenecessarytv.blogspot.com/2015/06/handshakes-and-fighting.html

***** Instructors *****

     The NRA sent us, instructors, an email.
     When you give a range safety brief,
make sure to cover these points:
1.  Purpose of the event
2.  Layout and Limits
3.  Safety Rules (Administrative, NRA, site specific)
4.  Commands
5.  Emergency Procedures

     The NRA sent us, instructors, an email
advising us to use "Blended Learning";
verbal, visual, tactile, reading.  Which I
wrote up in my lesson plans as follows:
Auditory -- Verbally explain the technique
to the students and the reasons for using
the technique, as opposed to any other
technique.
Visual -- Demonstrate the technique dry
(without ammo) the first time, and then
do a live fire demonstration if appropriate.
Kinesthetic -- Let the students practice
the technique with either the finger gun or
the unloaded pistol.  Some of the students
will need this comfort level before
progressing to a live fire practice. Let
the students live fire the technique
slowly and carefully. Then, let the students
practice the technique under stress.
Reading / Writing -- Schedule enough time
between classes to allow the students to
read the lesson plan and look at the
pictures on the web site.
     The NRA letter suggests setting a
deadline for the students to read the
online material before the start of class.
I think this is a good idea, because I
have received zero feedback surveys in
which the student says that the student
read the lesson plans before, during, or
after the class.  I only know of two persons,
one lady and one girl whom I know read my
lesson plans before my Defensive Pistol class,
because they asked questions about the readings.

***** Gear *****

     I love when instructors write this kind
of negative review.  It shows who they are
not taking money from.
"Some Gun Problems from Last Weekend’s Class"
http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/some-gun-problems-from-last-weekends-class
     Excerpt:  Recreational shooters think that
if they have one or two malfunctions during
each box of ammo they shoot, their gun is
“reliable.”  After all, it doesn’t jam on
every shot.  This is a huge mistake. 
Why would you carry a defensive gun that
won’t work 3-5% of the time when perfectly
reliable handguns are available?
[I have spent hundreds of dollars on gunsmithing
to get my Kimber pistols to work reliably.
What the author writes is truth. -- Jon Low]
     Excerpt:  Some guns just simply don’t fit
some shooters.  There’s no reason to put
up with this nonsense when so many ergonomic,
quality handguns are available on the market. 
Find a gun that works for you.  Don’t
automatically trust the gun store commando’s
advice about what gun is “best”.

     Your self-defense pistol should be
ambidextrous.  Being right-handed does
not mean you will be right-handed during
the gun fight. 
     Springfield Armory XD,
Heckler and Koch VP9 or VP40, and many
others are ambidextrous. 
     The Smith & Wesson M&P is not
ambidextrous.  While the magazine
release may be moved from one side to the
other, it doesn't work from both sides.
     The magazine release, slide lock, and
safeties should be ambidextrous. 
(The slide lock is sometimes used in
type 3 malfunction clearing.)
     This point wasn't driven home until
I had a left-handed child.  Even the left-
handed ex-wife and girlfriends didn't
drive the point home, because they were
adults and easily adapted.  But, as a
child, the person under stress does not
adapt easily, unless they have trained
relentlessly.  Remember, under stress,
easy things become difficult and difficult
things become impossible.  So, your
pistol must be ambidextrous.

***** News *****

Lucky Gunner
These are the good guys.  Please support them.
http://mygunculture.com/ammo-seller-luckygunner-does-the-industry-a-solid/?awt_l=5pw.Y&awt_m=3VhcMWdwOnV0zuP

     On December 9th, 2007, Jeanne Assam
saved hundreds of lives by shooting
Matthew Murray at New Life Church in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
http://www.gunsandtactics.com/a-tale-of-two-church-massacres
     Guns in church save lives.

Gun Violence Prevention, Public Hearing, 28 Jan. 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZo4hbGJjVI

***** Promotions *****

CCW Safe (legal service membership)
http://ccwsafe.com/

***** Opinions *****

It's not guns.  It's prescription psychotropic drugs.
http://www.ignatius-piazza-front-sight.com/2015/06/20/its-not-guns-see-the-hidden-right-target/#vid1

***** Politics *****

Puerto Rican Court:
2nd Amendment Means No License Required For Open Carry
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/06/22/puerto-rican-court-2nd-amendment-means-no-gun-registry-required-for-open-carry/
Excerpt:  "Concealed carry of firearms is legal
in all 50 states and open carry, with certain
stipulations, is the law of the land in 45 states.
In six of these 45 states — Arizona, Alaska,
Kansas, Montana, Vermont, and Wyoming —
law-abiding citizens can carry openly or concealed
without a permit. Puerto Rico is now aligned with
these six states."

Same Sex Ruling Sets Up National Reciprocity for Concealed Carry
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/06/27/same-sex-ruling-sets-up-national-reciprocity-for-concealed-carry/

     For those who do not follow the Supreme Court
of the United State (SCOTUS) closely, you may not
notice how Supreme Court Justices trade votes.
Just as Representatives and Senators, some things
are important to them and some are not.  Some
Justices don't trade votes.  Some Justices trade
their seat on the court for other things, as did
Justice Souter.  Justices usually resign under a
President of the same party that appointed them,
to allow a President of their political party to
appoint their replacement.  Justice Souter did not. 
Some betray the party that appointed them.

     Other Peoples’ Money!
Posted by John S. Farnam on 29 Jun 2015
http://defense-training.com/dti/other-peoples-money/
Excerpt: 
“You’ve had your whole life to prepare for this moment.
Why aren’t you ready?” -- Robert Scott (played by Val Kilmer)
in the 2004 feature film, “Spartan”.
[That's Master Gunnery Sergeant Scott, USMC.
If you view the extra stuff on the DVD, David Mamet
credits the "consultant" by real name.  The movie's
director, David Mamet, is one of the good guys.
He really understands and appreciates the pro-gun,
military, conservative culture; and glorifies it
whenever he can; in movies and interviews.]
 
***** Miscellany *****

     I got some push back about the Blackhawk Serpa holster. 
People saying that it's a training problem, don't blame the
holster design.  Let me explain.
     When I was a software engineer, there was a running joke in
the industry. 
System Designers:  There is a design flaw in the product.  We
need to fix the design. 
Executive:  No, that would be too expensive and put us behind
schedule.  We'll fix it in hardware. 
Hardware Engineer:  Sorry, we can't fix it in hardware.  That would
cause problems with other systems.  Fix it in software. 
Software Engineer:  We can't fix it in software.  That would require
a major rewrite, which would put us way behind schedule.
Executive:  If we aren't first to market, we might as well kill
the product, because we'll never get sufficient market share. 
Just document it.
Technical Writers:  You want us to tell the users to do
what?  Are you crazy?
Executive:  Just do it.
Technical Writers: This is a mission critical system. 
This design error is going to cause casualties.
Executive:  Don't worry.  Marketing has already started
a propaganda campaign to blame the problem on the users
and insufficient training.
Besides, the bean counters tell us that even with the losses
from the lawsuits we still make an obscene profit.  (Generally
speaking, soldiers cannot sue defense contractors for
defective equipment, even if the defect caused many deaths.)
So, my bonus is assured.
[The sick joke is that executives get bonuses (which reward
short term gains).  While the engineers get stock options 
(which reward long term gains).  The executives are long
gone before the reports of casualties start rolling in.]
    
     Correctly designed systems do not allow the user to make
mistakes in the operation of the system that result in
casualties.  For instance, the cockpit controls to eject the
pilot should not be next to the controls to lower the tail hook,
nor should they be of a similar motion.  This prevents them
from being confused in a high stress situation.
     I listened to an incident report in which an F-18 pilot
told us that he lowered the tail hook instead of the landing
gear.  Which resulted in a landing that scraped open the
belly tank, leaving a trail of burning fuel down the runway.
     Yes, mishaps occur.  But they should never be caused or
aided by the design of the system.  A well designed system
makes mishaps very difficult for the operator to induce.
     In our commercial industry, warranties are for material
and workmanship, never for design.  Why?  Because of
our legal system.  (A wise lawyer, Ira Wender, once told me
that all law is tort.  He was chairman of United Technologies
back then.) 
     Why do we never hear of the design errors in our
military systems?  Because they are all classified.  That
is how general and flag officers cover their asses. 
(Even after they have left the service and become
corporate executives.)

     Older postings may be found at
http://DefensivePistolcraft.com/
     Lesson plans may be found at
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/474513
or send me an email to request the latest
version.

Cheers,
Jon

Jonathan Low
Jon_Low@yahoo.com